By Lenah Bosibori
Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya has launched the first-ever Africa Science Media Centre (AfriSMC) to help serve Scientists, Media stakeholders, and Journalists across Africa.
Based in Nairobi under the sponsorships of Science Africa and partners, the AfriSMC is the first Science Media Centre to be established in Africa, with a view to bolstering effective science journalism on the continent.
The AfriSMC will provide accurate and evidence-based information on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STIs) including Health, Agriculture, and Engineering for the benefit of the public and policymakers.
Speaking during the launch, Daniel Otunge Director AfriSMC said the Centre will strive to ensure informed public debate in STIs with positive impacts on policy decisions and sustainable socio-economic development.
“The Centre is principally established to improve the credibility of media reporting on emerging scientific issues through close interaction, collaboration, corporation, and communication between experts and journalists facilitated by the Center,” said Otunge.
He added that the reason why Science Africa has set up the AfriSMC is that there are many challenges journalists face in covering science beats in Africa.
Also, scientists facing difficulties in their relationship with journalists for fear of being quoted out of context.
“Journalists are experiencing challenges especially when covering breaking news with regards to getting an expert to comment on the issues in short notice, said AfriSMC chairman, Otula Owuor.”
This is the gap AfriSMC is designed to fill up through its rapid response and expert opinion services that would enable journalists to access the much-needed comment to use while covering breaking news.
The other services to be offered by the Center include the production of tool kits other materials tailored for journalists, scientists, and information officers. The launch of the AfriSMC took place during the 4th African Conference of Science Journalists held virtually by the Nairobi based Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) and its partners.
The conference brought together over 100 journalists and scientists from 35 African countries. The conference runs from Tuesday 17 through Friday 20 November 2020, with each day focusing on different development themes visa vis the status and future of science journalism in Africa.
